“You are either trying to hide the truth from me, or you are unaware. It matters not to me. I know what I sense coming from you, and it’s good enough for me.”
Thirty-One
VAUGHN
Iscrewed up. That much I know. As soon as Sophie realized that Vivi was a Nightingale, something shifted between us. I shouldn’t have kept the truth from her when she shared so many of her secrets with me. I’m a fucking idiot.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I blurt out as soon as we’re in the car.
She looks out the window. “You said it wasn’t your secret to tell.”
“Right, so why are you angry with me?”
“Are you dense?” Tish butts in, and I wish she wasn’t around. I don’t need her unhelpful remarks.
“Why is the fact that Vivi is a Nightingale such a big secret?” Sophie asks.
“Her blood has powers, but she doesn’t have her Nightingale gifts. She can’t protect herself from anyone who’d wish to use her blood for nefarious reasons—like freeing that specter, for instance.”
“I wouldn’t have betrayed your trust.”
I rub my face. “You wouldn’t have even told your father?”
She hesitates, and I peel my eyes off the road for a second to look at her. “Now I wouldn’t, but… I’m not sure if I’d have kept it quiet before my meeting with my mother.”
“So you agree with me that I was right to keep it a secret from you.”
She drops her gaze to her lap. “I suppose.”
“Now that we know Lucca’s girlfriend is a Nightingale, are you going to tell us where they are?” Tish asks.
“Why do you want to know so badly?”
“Just plain curiosity.”
“Don’t you know curiosity killed the cat?” I joke.
“Not killed, but definitely cursed,” she mumbles.
“So you were cursed? That’s why you can’t change into your human form?”
“Yep. But since Nightingale magic created familiars in the first place, maybe Lucca’s girlfriend can unhex me.”
“I told you she doesn’t have her gifts.”
“Right. Balls. What happened to her?”
“Her mother took her powers away, then banished her and her brother to our world before closing the portals to Ellnesari.”
“Wait. There’s another Nightingale on our side of the fence?” Sophie asks.
I grimace. Once again, I said too much. Too late now. “Yeah.”
“Is there anything else you’re keeping from us?” Tish asks.
I hold the steering wheel tighter, turning my knuckles white. Sophie already knows about Vivi and Rikkon; what harm is there in telling her everything?
“Yeah, lots.”
